Teach English in Cadiz, Spain

Cadiz is a lovely small city located on the southern coast of Spain in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Truly a seaside city, it was historically used as a trading post and port after it was founded in 1100 B.C. by the Phoenecians. This city of 120,000 people is located on a peninsula so you are never far from the ocean!

As an English teacher in Cadiz, you'll be able to immerse yourself in Spanish culture and enjoy all that Spain has to offer. Whether you choose to work at a private English academy, teach at a public school, or do private tutoring, you will find your fit in Cadiz. You won't get rich teaching English, but you'll be able to enjoy all the typical Spanish food, including lots of seafood and fried fish, and see the local sights.

In addition to it's windy beaches, Cadiz is famous for its Carnival, the local soccer team (Cadiz Club de Futbol), Cadiz Cathedral, Gadir Archaelogical site, and the Castle of San Sebastian (on an island and accessible by a walking pier).

There are various options for teaching English in Cadiz, including private tutoring, public and private school teaching assistants, and private English academies. Oftentimes, once you are in Spain you can pick up extra work during the summer at English immersion camps or teaching English for companies or businesses.

Tutoring and Private Teaching Opportunities

Private English academies usually provide classes in the evenings (4:00pm to 9:00 or 10:00pm) for adults as well as children. Often the academy will also offer preparation classes for English exams such as the Cambridge exam. If you work at an Academy you will likely work Monday through Thursday or Friday, between 20-30 hours a week, and earn $850-1200 per month.

Another way English-speakers pick up extra cash is through offering private, one-on-one lessons. You will need to advertise yourself or spread the word via friends, but you will be charge upwards of $15/hour.

School Teaching Opportunities

A popular option for finding work in Spain are the government- and school-sponsored programs such as BEDA, Meddeas, and the Spanish government’s “North American Language and Culture Assistants” program (“Auxiliares de conversacion” in Spanish). Through these programs, you are placed in a public or private school as a language assistant in the classroom of an English teacher. You’ll work between 12-20 hours a week and earn between $825-1100 per month, depending on the program you’re with.

With these programs, you can request to be placed in a specific region or city, but they can’t always guarantee placement. If you have your heart set on teaching in Cadiz, prepare in advance for this program; there are few qualifications/requirements to apply, but you should be prepared, as most programs applications open in January and you’ll want to get yours in.

Finding a job in Spain can be daunting, but it's feasible if you know what to do and when -- and teaching English in Cadiz is worth the effort! Be prepared with the necessary qualifications if you want to teach in an academy, and have your application ready if you want to go through a government- or school-sponsored program.

When & Where to Look for Teaching Jobs in Cadiz

August/September and January are generally the hiring months for private English academies. You can find the academies and potential job openings by searching online but if you’re in Spain you can also walk in with your resume. If you want to work for a government- or school- sponsored program, have your application ready when they open in January in order to apply for the following school year.

Qualifications Teachers Usually Need in Cadiz

In general, it’s a good idea to obtain a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification which you can do online, in-person in the United States, or in-person through various programs in Spain.

If you want to work at an academy, additional qualifications will vary. Some require little experience or a simple TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language) certificate, while others will require a TEFL or CELTA certification as well as a couple years of teaching experience and Cambridge test preparation experience.

Many government- and school-sponsored programs just require that you’re a native English speaker and you have a bachelors degree, but check qualifications for the specific program you’re interested in.

Interviewing Tips

Some of the school-sponsored programs or academies require an online or in-person interview, but the government program requires no interview. Dress business casual if you have an interview and make sure your resume highlights any of your volunteer or work experience teaching English.

Salary Expectations

Depending on your job, you can expect to earn between $800-1200 per month teaching in Cadiz. If you do some extra work through private tutoring, you can charge upwards of $15 an hour.

Cost of Living in Cadiz

Living costs in Cadiz will certainly be manageable on what you will earn as a teacher, although you may have to work to save some money for traveling! Renting a room in an apartment with a few other people will cost somewhere between $225-$350 per month. Renting your own place will be more expensive, beginning around $450 per month. Be sure to check and see if utilities are included in your rent. If not, they run $75-$100 per month. Internet costs $45 per month. You can count on $30 a month if you want to use the public bus, and eating out can range between $7-$20. Prices for toiletries and clothing are generally similar to what you would find in the United States.

Visas & Sponsorship

You can only be in Spain for 90 days without a visa. Otherwise, you’ll need to get a visa through a job, or obtain a student visa, which allows you to work a certain number of hours. The government- and school-sponsored programs will give you everything you need to apply for a visa. Some English academies prefer to hire English-speaking teachers from the European Union, as they do not have to get a visa. However, an American may find an academy who is willing to help with a visa.

Teacher Work Culture in Cadiz

As an English teacher, you'll have opportunities to meet lots of new people - both Spaniards and other English-speakers. Don't be surprised when people you meet give you dos besos (two kisses). This is the typical Spanish greeting between men and women as well as women and women. Men will usually shake hands. Spaniards are typically friendly and welcoming, even in the workplace. Depending on what you're used to, you might find it difficult to adapt to what may feel like last-minute planning and lack of communication.

Classroom Etiquette in Cadiz

You should follow the dress code of your teaching institution, but usually dress is casual or business casual. Classrooms are not particularly strict and teachers usually have good relationships with their students.